Meet Julian Solis | Tattoo Artist & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julian Solis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julian, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I am still early in my career as a full time tattoo artist, but one thing that’s pivotal to my success is consistency. In 2024 I made the commitment to draw one flash design a day, and now I have over 200 drawings for my clients to choose from. I think seeing consistent posts keeps me in the forefront of people’s minds when they’re considering their next tattoo. It’s also beneficial for social media, since the algorithm favors regular posts. It’s fun to look back over the past 200-something days and see how much I’ve grown as an artist just by dedicating myself to a daily practice.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being where I am professionally and as a creative was not an easy, or linear, journey. I spent many years in management for a quick-service beverage restaurant. During the pandemic, things were changing so rapidly that I was grasping for a sense of stability and control. I decided I was going to paint in watercolor every day for one hundred days. Seeing the positive response, support from other artists, and selling a few art pieces was the first glimmer that I might be able to do art full time. Tenacity, consistency, and remaining authentic to myself and my ‘brand’ has been the most important take away – it doesn’t do me any good to pretend to be someone who I’m not. I create art that brings me joy, and it resonates with the people who it’s meant to resonate with.

My tattoos are fun, tough, and tender. I love bold line-work and vivid color, and drawing a variety of subject matter. Flipping through my flash book, you’re as likely to find a heart and dagger as you are a can of sardines.

My paintings oscillate between cozy still life and colorful abstract works. Currently I’m working on a large meditative painting verging on pointillism – they’re my take on a school of fish. It’s a labor of love but I really like the immersive effect these paintings have on the viewer. This piece will be the end of this motif for me – you can check out some of my other works on my website and instagram!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First I’d take them to the Ironworks Marketplace – this is the building I work in, but it’s full of unique shops and boutiques, and Segundo Coffee is the fuel that keeps me going most days.

We’d have to have brunch at Ema. The coffee program there is so exceptional and the pastries are delicious. The corn cake donut makes me see stars. Don’t be scared of the line.

I love the surrealist collection at the Menil, and the people watching is an art exhibit in itself.

Dinner would be Nobie’s, because I dream about the oysters that are dressed to taste like Big Macs.

For a nightcap let’s grab a beer at Equal Parts – if we’re lucky, we’ll be there on a night Macabre Market is hosting a variety of vendors, and we can browse vinyl at Melon’s Melodies, get a shirt by Death Calls, or some new jewelry from SpookyAlienKweenie.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would be remiss not to mention Sarah Bobby. She taught me to tattoo and now I have the honor of working alongside her at her tattoo studio, Technicolor Tattoo, in the East End.

I’d also like to shout out the Trans Legal Aid Clinic, a local non-profit who helps trans and non-binary Texans with the legal hullabaloos involved with name changes and gender marker corrections. Behind the organization is Lou Weaver, who has connected me with so many opportunities in the Houston LGBTQ+ community.

Website: https://Www.juliansolis.com

Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/juuliansolis

Other: Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/JuulianSolis